UNIT IV - Lesson 11 - Modifiers of Human Acts

Modifiers

– can reduce the moral character of the human act, which in turn would diminish the responsibility and imputability in the agent.

Ignorance, Passion, Fear, Violence, Habit

MODIFIERS OF HUMAN ACT

Ignorance

– is the absence of knowledge which a person ought to possess. In the realm of morals everyone of age and reason is expected to know at least the general norms of good behavior.

Vincible ignorance, Affected ignorance, Invincible ignorance

Types of ignorance

Vincible ignorance

– can easily be reminded through ordinary diligence and reasonable efforts.

Affected ignorance

– the type which a person keeps by positive efforts in order of escape responsibility or blame.

Invincible ignorance

– is the type which a person possesses without being aware of it or having awareness of it.

Passion or concupiscence

– are eIther tendencies towards desirable objects(positive emotions) or tendencies away from undesirable or harmful things(negative emotions). This are psychic response.

Antecedent passion, Consequent passion

Types of Passion

Antecedent passion

– are those that precede an act. It predispose a person to act.

Consequent passion

are those that are intentionally aroused and kept. It is said to be voluntary in cause, the result of the will playing the strings of emotions.

Fear

the disturbance of the mind of a person who is confronted by an impending danger or harm to himself or loved ones. ——- is an instinct for self-preservation. We even fear new experiences or situations.

Violence

- refers to any physical force exerted on a person by another free agent for the purpose of compelling said person to act against his will.

Habit

– is a lasting readiness and facility, born of frequently repeated acts, for acting in a certain manner. These are acquired inclinations towards something to be done. It assume the role of a second nature, moving one who has them to perform certain acts with relative ease.